Kiwi raider Tony Pike leans on Nash Rawiller for Australian Derby audition with Golden Century

Kiwi trainer Tony Pike has had Group 1 success with Nash Rawiller before and he has called on the experienced hoop again as he makes a Sydney raid with an Australian Derby prospect.

Nash Rawiller and Tony Pike. Picture: Getty Images

The Group 1-winning firm of Nash Rawiller and astute Kiwi trainer Tony Pike will team up again on Saturday with a promising young galloper which has crossed the ditch with Australian Derby aspirations.

Pike has been a semi regular visitor to Australian shores, winning five of his 12 career Group 1s here, including the 2020 Canterbury Stakes when Rawiller rode sprinter The Bostonian to victory.

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Pike has again called on Rawiller’s services for three-year-old staying prospect Golden Century which is one of the key fancies for the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Golden Century has crossed the Tasman after finishing third in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby behind current Group 1 Australian Derby equal favourite Willydoit.

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The Derby at Randwick is raced over 2400m – on April 5 – and Pike believes Golden Century deserves his chance to make an audition in the Tulloch Stakes on Saturday.

“This horse is a genuine stayer,” Pike said.

“He wasn’t the easiest as a young horse, but he is finally starting to put things together.

Willydoit DOMINATES the G1 NZ Derby for @michaeljdee & Clotworthy Racing! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/HAYcxUrxVJ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 8, 2025

“He had a week in the paddock after the Derby and appears to have improved again.

“He had an exhibition gallop this week at Matamata races and worked well.

“He is an improving staying three-year-old and deserves his chance.”

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Willydoit won the New Zealand Derby in fine style and there was a two-and-a-half length gap back to Golden Century in third.

But Pike said there was lots to like about his run and lots of reasons to think he will improve.

“His Derby run was very good,” Pike said.

“He blew the start and ran into trouble at the 600(m) but I thought he closed off really well.”

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Golden Century is currently rated an $11 chance in Australian Derby betting but will shorten in the market if he races well at Rosehill on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Pike indicated he is likely to make a return to the Queensland winter carnival with several horses this year.

Pike had been a regular and popular visitor to the Sunshine State during the winter carnival but wasn’t sighted last year.